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Wild Canyons Road Trip
About Grand Canyon Guru's Custom Tours
This itinerary was designed by our destination experts to inspire your canyon country adventure. Here at Grand Canyon Guru, we’ve never designed the same trip twice because we handcraft every itinerary to create a once in a lifetime adventure. We love the wild canyons of the American Southwest and want to share that with every client we work with by offering the highest quality lodging, unique tours, exclusive access, the best local guides, and professional support for every tour we design. Most people only get the chance to do a trip like this once in a lifetime, so our trips focus on the best experience possible for the time and money you’re investing, rather than the least expensive. We will take care of all the details so you all you need to do is show up and enjoy your trip.
Tour Overview
- 11-Days w/Lodging, Transportation and Tours
- Las Vegas to Las Vegas
- Valley of Fire, Zion, Bryce, Grand Staircase, Grand Canyon North Rim
- Hiking, Slot Canyon Tour, UTV Adventure, Mule ride
- Customized Itinerary and professional support
- From $3,330 per person based on double occupancy
Tour Highlights
- Touch down in lively Las Vegas, NV but get right out of town and onto the trails of beautiful Valley of Fire State Park.
- Travel to Zion National Park to explore the canyon on convenient and comfortable e-bikes that let you leave the crowds behind, explore at your leisure, and see all of the highlights.
- Use Bryce Canyon as a basecamp for several unforgettable days of red rock exploration.
- Head out for your first view of Bryce Canyon on a guided ATV adventure that ends at a private overlook of the canyon’s vibrant colors and iconic hoodoo rock formations.
- Explore the inside of Bryce Canyon on the Fairyland Loop Trail which will lead you through the colorful hoodoos for endless photo ops.
- Spend a day exploring the wilds of Grand Staircase-Escalante along scenic Highway 12, with a must-see side trip to charming Kodachrome Basin State Park.
- Take a hike through Red Canyon to explore more of the vibrantly colored rocks than what you can see from the road.
- Set out from Kanab on a guided tour into the heart of the Vermillion Cliffs wilderness to hike through the area’s signature swirling rock formations.
- Look up at Glen Canyon’s walls as you visit Lees Ferry, explore the Lonely Dell Ranch, and navigate an off-trail slot canyon that ends at the powerful Colorado River.
- Take it easy at the largest canyon in the world with a guided mule ride below the rim of Grand Canyon’s quieter North Rim.
- Mix it up and enjoy one last night in the wilds of Las Vegas where you’ll enjoy time dining, shopping, gaming, or catching a famous act.
- Depart from Last Vegas airport for your flight home.
Tour Itinerary Details
Day 1: Las Vegas - Valley of Fire - Zion
Touchdown in fun-filled Las Vegas, NV and feel the dry desert heat the moment you step outside. You’ll enjoy a short drive to nearby Valley of Fire State Park which is known by locals to be the top area hiking destination with miles of trail to explore. Set out on foot to see pictographs, petrified trees, and the unique swirling red rocks that make this park famous. Next you will enjoy an easy drive to the charming town of Springdale, UT, only minutes away from the entrance to Zion National Park. You’ll have time to relax in your hotel nestled amongst the red rocks and dine at some of the town’s highly rated eateries.
Day 2: Zion National Park e-Bikes
Avoid the hustle and bustle of one of Utah’s favorite and busiest national parks by traveling on e-bikes through Zion Canyon instead. You’ll start off right outside of the park and travel on safe greenways and roads that take you into the heart of the park. You can choose how much exercise you want to get as you stop at the famous views along the way including the Weeping Wall, Emerald Pools, and Zion Narrows slot canyon. Pack a picnic for the day or stop for lunch with a view at the Zion Lodge while you ride. At the end of the day, you will have plenty of time to enjoy Springdale’s many tasty eateries or try the brewpub for a local microbrew.
Day 3: Zion to Bryce Canyon
Eat breakfast under the red rocks in Springdale before you set out on a road trip across the Colorado Plateau. Your drive to Bryce offers nonstop beautiful views along the way, including a drive right through the heart of stunning Red Canyon. Grab a bite to eat enroute at one of the charming family-owned restaurants and take in numerous red rock views from overlooks along the way. You’ll check into your Bryce Canyon City accommodations before setting out on an exciting, guided ATV tour to your first view of Bryce Canyon. This private access overlook will amaze you as you see the vibrant colors and unique hoodoo rock formations from above.
Day 4: Fairyland Loop Trail
Hit the trail in the morning to revel in the quiet of the Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon. This trail truly has it all with both rim views of Boat Mesa and Grand Staircase-Escalante in the distance and plenty of time inside the canyon amongst the park’s signature hoodoo rock formations as well. This strenuous hike is meant to be savored as you explore the inspiring landscapes, enjoy a scenic lunch on the trail, and take photos around every corner. Upon your return to the rim, you can choose to explore more of the park’s overlooks along the scenic drive or simply return to your comfortable accommodations for a well-earned rest.
Day 5: Bryce Canyon to Grand Staircase-Escalante, via Kodachrome Basin
Today promises to get you more off the beaten path and into some of the most beautiful views in red rock country. You’ll set off from your Bryce Canyon lodging and head over to lesser visited Kodachrome Basin State Park. Named after Kodak’s iconic film due to its undeniably photogenic landscapes, Kodachrome is a great place to explore the area trails on foot. Make sure to stop at the charming visitor center where you can relax in a shady hammock and grab a cold drink, snack, or souvenir. Next, you’ll head into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on scenic byway 12, taking you through some of the wildest canyons and landscapes in the US. You’ll have tons of opportunities to experience the quirky vibe of the local towns with great food and good beer along the way. There are other state parks to visit, other trails to be hiked, and maybe the most scenic coffee house in the country along the way.
Day 6: Bryce Canyon to Kanab, UT
You’ll be looking forward to the scenic drive that takes you to charming Kanab, UT. Stop at Red Canyon, which no doubt caught your attention the first time you drove through, to do some hiking on the extensive area trail system. You can opt in for a classic 5-mile loop hike, or let curiosity get the better of you and choose the Cassidy trail where Wild West legend Butch Cassidy was said to have hidden to evade the law, and later served as scenic a backdrop for the Robert Redford film. Once you’re back at your car, head south to Kanab, making stops at the cozy family-owned restaurants, kitschy tourist traps, and state parks along the way. Kanab is a cute town that offers great food and is pleasant to stroll around with nice views of the surrounding red rocks.
Day 7: Vermillion Cliffs Off Road and Hiking Adventure
The Wave rock formation in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is beloved by social media influencers, but the permit system makes it almost impossible for typical area visitors to get to. Never fear, for much of the Vermillion Cliffs wilderness also feature the iconic swirling red rock formations that you might have seen, and today’s destination will not disappoint. Your guide will expertly navigate you to some of the area’s most beautiful features including Coyote Buttes, Paria Canyon, and Wire Pass slot canyon. You’ll have plenty of time to hike, explore the unusual red rock formations, and take in the sweeping views of Vermillion Cliffs. Your guide will return you to Kanab for another relaxing night in town.
Day 8: Glen Canyon
The drive across the Colorado Plateau to Glen Canyon features some of the area’s most beloved stops while still not being overrun with tourists. Depart Kanab and travel into the cool high elevation ponderosa pine forests of the Kaibab Plateau. Stop at the Jacob Lake Inn for some road fuel in the form of their famous house baked cookies or super thick milkshakes. Drop off the plateau and into the sweeping views offered by Marble Canyon as you travel past some quirky and beloved restaurants that offer great food and drinks. Your destination is Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, home to Lees Ferry, the departure point for Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips. Watch the river guides prepare their massive rigs and touch the cold waters of the mighty Colorado River before heading over to explore the Lonely Dell Ranch. You’ll have the chance to get off the beaten path as you head down the mostly off-trail Cathedral Wash hike that ends at the banks of the Colorado River on a secluded beach. Finally, head to the top of the Kaibab Plateau and your Jacob Lake lodging, grabbing a bite to eat or cold drink along the way.
Day 9: North Rim Mule Ride
Mules are one of the most charming ways to travel at Grand Canyon so today’s adventure will not only give you access to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, but also let you travel with ease along the way. From Jacob Lake travel through the forests to the North Rim where you’ll meet your mule, saddle up, and hit the trail. Take photos as you descend through the rock layers of the canyon while your guide regales you with stories of the canyon’s indigenous people, wildlife, geology, and more. Upon your return to the rim, take time to explore other iconic North Rim locations like Bright Angel Point and Cape Royal Road, and then grab a cold drink on the porch of the North Rim Lodge. Return to Jacob Lake for the night.
Day 10: Jacob Lake to Las Vegas
Today takes you from the quiet forests of the Kaibab Plateau to the bustling City of Lights for one last night of city-based adventure. You’ll pass through beautiful country along the way with optional stops at Pipe Springs National Monument, the relatively new brewery in Colorado City, and numerous state parks right on the route. The interstate will take you into lively Las Vegas and you’ll head for your resort accommodations right on the Strip. Check into your glamorous hotel and casino which is perfectly located to enjoy any of the wildly over-the-top options that Vegas offers whether you’d like to dine, game, shop, or catch a show in this city known for fun.
Day 11: Depart Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Airport is only minutes from your hotel so you can decide whether to sleep in or enjoy a decadent breakfast before you catch your return flight home.
Included in your Custom Wild Canyon’s Tour
Self-Drive Tours Include
- Custom designed itinerary and guide
- Professional booking and support
- 10-nights lodging listed on your itinerary
- All tours listed on your itinerary
- Rental car for 11-days
Private Tours Include All Self-Dive Tour Inclusions PLUS
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private transportation in a modern, spacious touring vehicle for 11-days
- Services of a professional tour guide for 11-days
- Private hikes and tours with your guide
- All park entrance fees
Not Included in your Custom Wild Canyon’s Tour
- Gratuity for your tour guides
- Airline Flights
- Additional experiences, services and meals not included in the trip cost will require an additional fee paid directly by the client during the trip.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
